The Maritime Institute of Malaysia successfully conducted the above MTCP course from the 13th to 25th August 2017. The international course focused on port regulations, management, and operations to provide participants with a better insight on the best practices by Malaysia’s ports and the growing complexities of the port and shipping business. It was designed for senior and middle level officials in relevant government agencies involved in policy making, regulations, and management of ports in their respective countries. The event was officiated by MIMA Chairman, Vice Admiral Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ahmad Ramli bin Hj. Mohd Nor (Ret).

MTCP participants with MIMA Chairman

The training was conducted by MIMA researchers and invited speakers from various backgrounds through lectures, group work, and case studies. Participants also visited the government administrative centre in Putrajaya and Westport and Northport in Port Klang to gain an understanding on how Malaysia formulates shipping and port policies, and regulates and manages them. The success of Malaysia’s privatization programme and the efficient port operations in Port Klang were of particular interest to participants.

MTCP participants visitng Putrajaya

A total of 17 foreign and 10 local participants attended this two-week training course. The foreign participants were from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Egypt, Fiji, Kenya, Laos PDR, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Timor-Leste, Tanzania and Vietnam while local participants came from various port authorities in Malaysia. Participants also presented the current development of ports in their countries and states as case studies. The training also served as a good platform for participants of different backgrounds and culture to network and develop friendships.

The feedback from the MTCP course participants was positive. They felt that the training programme was well managed by MIMA and all speakers were proficient in their respective topics. Among some of the feedbacks by the participants are for MIMA to incorporate the whole maritime supply chain instead just about ports in the training. Ideas to create a MIMA MTCP alumni and port network were also mooted to provide future networking among the trainers and participants. MIMA welcomes these suggestions by incorporating the whole spectrum of the maritime supply chain such as ports, shipping, logistics, and ship building ship repair in the future MTCP training course. Now, participants from abroad and local remain in contact through social media.

MTCP participants with Mr. Beh of MTCP Secretariat, MOFA

MIMA would like to express its gratitude to MTCP Secretariat in Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its trust in selecting the institute to conduct the training. As a Centre of Excellence on maritime affairs, MIMA will continue to conduct the MTCP to share Malaysia’s expertise in the maritime industry with developing countries.